Leaving California? Read This Before Selling Your San Diego Home

If you're thinking about leaving California and selling your San Diego home, I want you to slow down for just [music] a second. Because right now, I'm

watching homeowners make [snorts] decisions that feel right at the moment, but in the end cost them tens of thousands of dollars later. Not because

their home wasn't valuable, but because they didn't understand [music] how to sell in this market. And if you're planning to move, I don't want that to be you.

If this is your first time to the channel and you want to know everything there is to know about moving in or out of San Diego, then subscribe and click that bell for notifications so that you

can be the first to know [music] about the curtain market here in San Diego, California. My name is Victoria Sandaval and I'm with Select Premier Properties.

We get calls from people just like you every [music] single day. So whether you're looking to move in 9 days or 9 months, feel free to reach out. My contact information is on the

description below and I'd be happy to help you make a smooth move in or out of San Diego. Hey guys, I'm Victoria Sandival, your San Diego relocation

[music] and listing specialist. And today we're going deep. This is not going to be a quick video. This is going

to be the conversation you actually need before you make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Because leaving California is one decision. Selling your home is another.

And combining those two decisions without a strategy is where people lose money. So today, I'm going to walk you

through everything you need to think about before you sell. the market, timing, pricing, renting versus selling,

real scenarios, and the big mistakes I see every single week. Before we jump in, if you're even considering leaving

San Diego or you just want to [music] understand how to position yourself in this market, make sure to subscribe because this channel is [music] built to

help you make smarter real estate decisions, not rushed ones. why this decision is different right now. Let's

start here because this moment in time is different. And if [music] you don't understand that, everything else we talked about won't land the way it

should. Over the past several years, there have [music] been a noticeable shift in movement patterns across California. More people have been

leaving than moving in. Not because California isn't desirable, but because people are reassessing [music] what they

want their money to do for them. They're looking at their housing costs. They're looking at their lifestyle, [music] and

they're realizing that in other areas, they they can stretch their dollar further. Now, here's where it becomes

important for you. When a large number of homeowners decide to leave and sell,

it changes the environment you're selling in. You are no longer just listing your [music] home. You are entering a competitive pool of sellers

who are often motivated by the [music] same timeline you are. And that ships leverage what the San Diego market is doing. [music] Now, let's talk about

what is actually happening on the ground because this is where I see the biggest disconnect between expectation and reality. A lot of sellers still believe

that if they list their home, it will sell quickly and for top dollar. And that belief comes from what they experienced or saw just a few years ago.

But today's market is different. Buyers are more cautious. They are more payment sensitive because interest [music] rates are higher than they were before.

There's more inventory than there was during the peak frenzy years. And [music] because of that, buyers have options. And when buyers have options,

they take their time. They compare, they negotiate, and they don't feel the pressure [music] the same way they used to. So, if your home is not positioned

correctly from day one, it doesn't just eventually sell, [music] it sits. And when it sits, it weakens your position.

Let me give you a real life example.

I've seen homes come on the market priced based on what a neighbor sold it for last year. On paper, that feels

logical. But what those sellers didn't realize is that the conditions under which that home sold no longer exists.

[music] So, what happens? They get minimal activity. They start wondering what's wrong. Then they reduce the price

[music] and now instead of creating excitement, they're chasing the market.

This is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. [music] The question no one asks first. Before you even think about listing your home,

there is one question that [music] should come first and most people skip it. The question is, should I even sell right now? Because selling is not always

the [music] best financial move. And I know that might sound surprising coming from a listing agent, but it's the truth. Your home is not just the place

you lived. It's an asset. [music] And depending on your situation, it may make more sense to keep that asset. Let's walk you through a scenario. Let's say

you bought your home a few years ago when rates were low. [music] Your mortgage payment is relatively manageable compared to today's market.

Now you're relocating to another state. If you sell, you cash out your equity.

[music] That's one outcome. But if you keep the property and rent it, you may be able to have a tenant [music] cover most of your payment while your property continues to appreciate over time.

That's a completely different long-term outcome. Now, [music] let's flip it.

Let's say your numbers don't work. Maybe the rent doesn't cover your expenses.

Maybe you don't want the responsibility of managing a property from out of state. Maybe you need access to your

equity to purchase your next home. In that [music] case, selling makes more sense. The point is this. The decision

should be based on strategy, not assumption. Timing your sale. Now, let's talk about timing because this is where

a lot of sellers unintentionally [music] hurt their outcome. When you're relocating, timing becomes more complex.

You're not just thinking about the market. You're thinking about your move, your job, your family, [music] your next home. And all of that pressure can lead

to rush decisions. You essentially have three timing [music] options. You can sell before you leave. You can sell while you're in the middle of your move.

Or you can sell after you've already relocated.

Selling before you leave gives you the most control. You're present. [music] You can prepare the home properly. You

can oversee staging. You can manage showings. and you're [music] emotionally connected to the process. That usually

leads to stronger outcomes. Selling during the move is where things start to get complicated. You're juggling multiple priorities. You're not just

fully focused on the sale. And that lack of focus can show up in decisions, especially negotiations.

Selling after you leave often is the most challenging. The home is vacant. It feels different. Buyers walk in and don't feel that emotional

connection.  And on top of that, buyers know you've already moved, which changes how they negotiate.

Pricing strategy in this market. Now, we need to talk about pricing because this is the single biggest factor determining your outcome. And I want to be clear

about this. Pricing is not about what you hope to get. It's about how you position your home in the market.

In today's market, the most successful pricing strategy is one that creates activity 

early. The first two weeks your home is on the market are the most important. That's when your listing is fresh. That's when buyers are paying attention.

That's when you have the most leverage. If you price correctly, you generate showings. Showings create

interest. Interest creates competition. And competition is what drives the price. If you price too high, the opposite happens. You

get limited activity. Buyers squirrel past your home. and instead of creating momentum, you [music] create hesitation.

Then you reduce the price and now you're reacting instead of leading. Marketing in 2026. Now, let's talk about marketing because this is where a lot of sellers

assume all agents are the same. They're not. Putting your home on the MLS is not a marketing strategy. That's a starting

point. Today, a large percentage of buyers are starting their search online, and many of them are not even in San

Diego yet. They're relocating. They're researching from another state. They're looking at homes long before they even step foot here. So, if your home isn't

being marketed in the way that it reaches those buyers, you are limiting your exposure. And when you limit your exposure, you limit your opportunities.

Negotiation reality. Let's talk about what happens once you [music] get an offer. Because this is another area where sellers lose money without

realizing it. In today's market, buyers are negotiating more. [music] They're asking for credits. They're asking for repairs. They're asking for concessions.

And if your home has been sitting on the market, you have less leverage to push back. But if your home is positioned correctly and you have strong activity,

you can negotiate from a position of strength. That difference can easily impact your [music] net by thousands of dollars. Costs and net proceeds. Let's

talk about something that every seller wants to know. What do I actually walk away with? Because your sale is not your net. And this is where

expectations need to be aligned. There are costs involved when selling. There are commissions, closing costs,

potential repairs or credits. There's moving expenses, and sometimes price adjustments depending on how the market

responds. So, the real question is not just what your home will sell for. It is what you will net after everything is

said and done. The biggest mistakes to avoid. Let me bring this all together by sharing the biggest mistake I see. The first is overpricing. The

second is waiting too long to make adjustments. The third is underestimating the importance of marketing. The fourth is selling

So, if you're planning to leave San Diego and you're trying to figure out what the right move is for you, whether that's selling or holding, [music] reach

out to me directly or comment the word move. I'll help you build a strategy that makes sense for your situation.

Leaving California is a big decision, but selling your home is an even bigger financial one. And the goal is

not just to sell. The goal is to sell smart. Because in this market, strategy is what separates an average outcome from a great one. And if you're going to make a move, you deserve to make [music] the most out of it. If this helped you, make sure to subscribe and I'll see you in the next video. I'm Victoria Sandoval. Thanks for watching. Bye.